Investigating the Hardest X-ray Narrow-Line Seyfert 1s

Narrowline Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are an interesting subclass of type 1 AGNthought to have low black hole masses and high accretion rates. This has longbeen invoked to explain their unusual optical properties (narrow, strong Hbetarelative to OIII, strong FeII) as well as their typically bright, ultrasoftXray spectra. However, our recent Chandra study found that a few NLS1s actuallyhave faint, hard Xray spectra. We now propose to obtain deep EPIC spectra ofthe two hardest NLS1s in our Chandra sample, thereby determining whether thishardness is intrinsic to the AGN emission or instead due to absorption. Theresults of this study will not only affect the NLS1 paradigm, but also ourunderstanding of formation and evolution of AGNs in general. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]